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Padres and National University announce multi-year partnership

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Press Release |

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Padres and National University today announced a new multi-year partnership, making National University the exclusive higher education partner of the San Diego Padres, and adopting the Padres as National University's home team.

"We are excited to welcome another wonderful San Diego-based partner, National University, a not-for profit institution, to the Padres family," said Padres President & CEO Mike Dee. "National University is dedicated to making lifelong learning opportunities accessible to everyone. Its support of this community, including the substantial military population, aligns perfectly with the commitments of our organization."

"As a non-traditional University, serving working professionals with careers and families, this is an opportunity to offer them a home sports team." said National University President and Chancellor of the National University System, Dr. Michael R. Cunningham. "With 28 campuses within Major League Baseball's Western Division, the partnership provides the majority of our 30,000 students and over 140,000 alumni, a wonderful way to build community."

The multi-faceted partnership includes the Padres' Military Scholarship Program presented by National University, which will provide assistance to military students each year. Padres players, coaches and executives will make regular guest appearances at National University events, interacting with current and prospective students, as well as faculty and staff. In addition, during each year of the partnership, a Padres player, coach, alumni or front office executive will take a National University class.

As part of the agreement, National University will be the presenting partner of an annual Teacher Appreciation Night at Petco Park, honoring San Diego county teachers who make a difference in the lives of our local youth. This year, Teacher Appreciation Night will take place on Friday, May 2. In addition, all fans who attend the game against the Giants on Saturday, July 5, 2014 will receive a Padres sports bag presented by National University.

As the exclusive higher education partner of the Padres, all National University students, faculty and staff will also be able to access season-long ticket savings through a special discount program, and each year the Padres will host hundreds of guests for a special National University night at the ballpark.

Coinciding with the partnership announcement today is the debut of National University's interim signage on the Western Metal Supply Co. rooftop. The signage will remain in place until mid-season, when a new, iconic National University Picnic Terrace sign will be installed above the home and away bullpens. This will be one of the largest signs visible inside the seating bowl.